Animal Caretakers pay range in Washington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $30,160 a year or less, while the top 10% make $55,020 or more. The middle half of animal caretakers in Washington earn between $34,670 and $44,420.
- $30K10th
- $35K25th
- $38KMedian
- $44K75th
- $55K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $40,900 | $3,408 | $19.66 |
| Median | $37,710 | $3,142 | $18.13 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $34,670 | $2,889 | $16.67 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $44,420 | $3,702 | $21.36 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Animal Caretakers pay in Washington vs. Washington, D.C. and the U.S.
Animal caretakers in Washington earn 12% less than the Washington, D.C. average ($46,510) and 10% more than the U.S. average ($37,300). At the median the gap is +7% against the U.S. median of $35,360.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $40,900 | $37,710 | $30,160 | $55,020 | 6,590 |
| Washington, D.C. | $46,510 | $44,210 | $37,840 | $64,300 | 460 |
| United States | $37,300 | $35,360 | $27,250 | $50,060 | 266,910 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Animal Caretakers salary after taxes in Washington
On the average salary of $40,900, a single filer in Washington takes home about $33,755 a year, or $2,813 a month and $1,298 every two weeks. Taxes take 17% of gross pay.
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WV | $33,971 | $2,831 |
| Working in DC | $33,755 | $2,813 |
| Working in VA | $33,506 | $2,792 |
| Working in MD | $33,312 | $2,776 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Washington a good place for animal caretakers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Washington area are 9% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 108.9), so the average $40,900 buys what about $37,563 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.5 times the median wage of all jobs in Washington ($71,060). A typical home costs $583,013, or 14.3 years of this average salary before tax.
Animal Caretakers salary in nearby metro areas
- Hagerstown, MD$37,350
- Baltimore, MD$40,830
- Winchester, VA$33,000
- Lexington Park, MD$39,430
- Gettysburg, PA$33,900
- Chambersburg, PA$30,420
Highest-paying cities for animal caretakers
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($47,930).
- San Jose, CA$47,930
- Seattle, WA$47,810
- San Francisco, CA$46,960
- Phoenix, AZ$46,050
- Barnstable, MA$45,910
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Animal Caretakers salary in Washington: questions
How much do animal caretakers make an hour in Washington?
$19.67 an hour on average, and $18.13 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level animal caretakers salary in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $30,160 a year and the 25th percentile is $34,670, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the animal caretakers take-home pay in Washington?
About $33,755 a year ($2,813 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $40,900.
Do animal caretakers earn more in Washington than elsewhere?
The average here is 10% more than the U.S. average for this job ($37,300).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 39-2021; area Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (47900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.7%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.22, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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